Log-bunk.



F. W. CHRISWELL.

LOG BUNK.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1916.

Patented May l, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET F. W. CHRISWELL.

LOG BUNK.

APPLICATION FILED sPT.22. 191s.

lfi ggfia Patented May1,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

In vezjtnr I mm F. W. CHRESWELL.

LOG BUNK.

APPLICATION F lLED SEPT. 22. l9l6.

Patented May 1,1917. I

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Invcn for Esdarich Mai FREDERICK W. CHRISWELL, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO SEATTLE CAR & FOUNDRY (30., OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION OF WASI-IINGTON.

LO G-BUN K.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Application filed September 22, 1916. Serial No. 121,555.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fni-znnnicii W. Cums: WELL, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Seattle, county of King, and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Log-Brinks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to log bunks which are intended for mounting upon a flat -car to serve as the direct support for logs being hauled thereby.

The object of my invention is, first to provide a bunk which will support the logs and prevent the car floor and body from being damaged by engagement with the logs and also to provide means whereby the logs may be restrained from rolling off, which means may be released at will to discharge the logs.

Further objects of my invention will be disclosed by a study of the drawings and the specification relating thereto.

My invention comprises certain novel parts and combinations of parts which wili be hereinafter described and then specifically defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings I hav shown my device constructed in. the form which is now most preferred by me.

Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section of one end of a bunk, the stake at this end being in its raised or operative position.

Fig. 2 is a like view of the opposite end of a bunk, showing the stake in its lowered or inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the left hand end of the bunk with the stake in raised position and the right hand end of the bunk in section, the stake being removed.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the bunk with the stake raised, the upper end of the stake being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the bunk taken on line 55 of Fig. 1, the stake and associated parts being removed.

Fig. 6 is transverse section of the bunk taken on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are respectively, end view, front side view and edge view of the lock brace employed-for controlling the position of the stake.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section of the stake taken through the pivot thereof on the line 1010 of Fig. 2.

The body of the bunk, as herein shown, is composed of a casting, preferably of steel, of sufficient length to reach entirely across a car. This bunk 1 has side walls 13, and a top web 10. Flanges 12 at the lower edges of the side walls form a bearing surface for engagement with the timbers of the car. The top web 10, throughout the greater part of the length of the bunk, is dropped slightly below the upper edges of the side webs, thereby forming upwardly projecting flanges 11, which are adapted to dig into the logs a suflicient amount to prevent sliding of the logs lengthwise, under the conditions of their use on the railroad.

At the ends of the bunks this web 10 is preferably raised flush with the top of the flanges 11, as is shown by the section 12. The top web 12 at each end is provided with a slot 15, which extends inward a sufficient distance to accommodate the upwardly projecting end 20 of stake 2, when the latter is in operative or raised position. at this point is made of such size as to substantially fill the notch 15 and prevent any bark or other object of any material size getting into the hollow of the bunk at this point.

Projecting inward from the side walls of the bunk, just inward from the inner edge of this notch, are flanges 11, which have their inner faces curved in semi-circular shape, to thereby provide a pivot bearing for the stake. The stake has an upwardly projecting arm 20 which is adapted to en gage or hold the logs. It has an inwardly projecting arm, which, in the preferred con struction shown, consists of a central web 21 having laterally projecting pivot bosses 22, which are each adapted to seat upon the inner curved surfaces of the flange 14.

The stake may have its pivot bored and receive a pin 25 and the bunk may have corresponding holes for the reception of said pins, thereby preventing the possibility of misplacement of the stake. It is preferred,

however, that the holes in the bunk be of such size that the pin will fit loosely therein, thereby causing the strain to be communicated between the outer surfaces of the bosses 22 and the corresponding surfaces of the flanges 14.

At a sufficient distance from the pivot bosses 22, to accommodate the supporting flange 14, the stake has outwardly project- The stake ing flanges 28. The stake also has a central web 23 extending downwardly and inwardly to a point which is beneath the pivot when the stake is in raised position. At its lower, inner end, this flange joins with laterally projecting bosses 24 which are designed for engagement by the fingers of the lock braces, 3, hereinafter to be described. At a point substantially in line horizontally with its pivot when the stake is in raised position, the stake has flanges 27 at its sides, sufficiently separated from the central web 23 to accommodate the fingers 32 of the lock brace in the spaces between.

The lock brace 3 has two arms 30 separated from each other and connected by a web 31. The upper, or freely swinging end of the lock brace, is formed as pivot eyes 33, between which are placed the end of the controlling bar 4, which bar extends to the opposite end of th bunk and there is pro- Vided with a notch, as shown at 40 in Fig. 1, adapted to engage a transverse bar 41, which is integral with or secured to the bunk. hen so engaged the controlling bar 4 will be held against movement away from the stake with which it is associated.

The tip 42 of this bar, which extends over the locking bar 41, permits engagement therewith by means of a lever, or bar, so as to elevate the bar 4 and free it from the transverse locking bar 41, thereby permitting the lengthwise movement of the controlling bar 4 and thus permitting the stake associated therewith to drop. This end of the controlling bar may be locked down by means of a locking block 5, which is pivoted upon the bunk and is adapted to swing over the end of the bar 4 to prevent its being raised.

The end of the bunk is provided with a vertical, longitudinally extending web 43, just at the side of the stake. This supports the inner end of the catch bar 41. Its inner end extends upward to a junction with the lower inner end of the flange 14 upon which the stake pivots. This flange forms a pocket within which the end of the controlling bar 4 is retained. This pocket is closed at its outer end by a transverse flange, as is shown in Fig. 4. This has an opening for the projection of the end of bar 4, when the stake is tripped, and through which the end of this bar may be reached to trip it.

The locking brace 3 has two curved fingers 32, located just outside of the space separating the two portions 30 thereof. The cur vature of these two fingers and the shaping of the lugs 24 upon the lower end of the stake, are made to complement each other, so that in the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein both the lock brace and the stake are raised, these fingers prevent the lower end of the stake from swinging farther outward. This same result is contributed to, or reinforced,

by the engagement of the upper surfaces of the pivot arm 21, which would occur with the top web 12 of the bunk if it swung upward any material amount.

The lock brace 3 is provided with side projecting pivot lugs 34. These engage the outer curved surfaces of lugs 16, which project inward from the side walls of the bunk at the base thereof. To prevent the lock brace from being displaced from this seat, bolts 35 extend. through the walls of the bunk and have heads of special size which project forwardly of the pivot lugs 34, thereby preventing them from moving outward.

With the parts described in the position shown in Fig. 1, the stake is held in raised position. The outward thrust of the logs on the upper end 20, of the stake, tend to swing the lower end of the stake inward. This' action is, however, resisted by the lock brace 3, against th face of which the lower end of the stake bears. This point of contact of the lower end of the stake with the lock brace, is maintained, as near as is feasible, to the pivot axis of the lock brace. The loclr brace thus constitutes a lever which is controlled by the bar 4 to resist the downward swinging effect in the stake 2.

By reason of using a lever of this sort, the thrust which would have to be resisted, were the controlling bar 4 directly pivoted to the lower end of the stake, is very much reduced. As the controlling bar 4 is under compression, the heavy strains which are placed upon the stake are very likely to buckle this bar, unless some reducing mechanism, which is equivalent to that herein shown, is adopted. By the use in the intervening lever formed by the lock brace 3, the sizeof the controlling bar 4 may be very much reduced and at the same time the tendency of the same to buckle be also reduced.

\Vhen the opposite end of the controlling bar 4 is released from engagement with the cross bar 41, the lock brace will be swung downward into the position shown in Fig. 2,]

the stake will then be released from restraining engagement with the lock brace and swing into the position shown in 2. In this condition the stake is entirely freed from any action thereon by the lock brace and the controlling bar. The weight of these latter parts has no effect upon the stake to cause it to swing outward into or toward raised position. The stake is entirely withdrawn into the bunk and the forces acting thereon tend to hold it in this position.

In order to raise the stake and lock it in raised position, it is only necessary to engage the outer end of the stake and swing it up into raised position. The lugs 24 on the inner end of the stake engage the fingers 32 of the lock brace, to swing it into raised position. This draws the controlling bar 4 in the same direction and causes its shoulder 40 to drop inside of the transverse locking bar ll. The stake is thus held in locked position.

' V hat I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a log bunk, a stake pivoted thereon, a lock brace pivoted on the bunk to swing into position to engage its side with the stake to hold the stake raised, and a bar controlling said lock brace and extending to the other end of the bunk.

2. The combination with a bunk, a stake pivoted between its ends upon the bunk, a lock brace adapted to engage by its side with the lower end of the stake and a controlling and locking bar pivotally secured to the locl; brace and extending to the opposite end of the bunk.

3. The combination with a hollow bunk having stake-receiving recesses in its ends, stakes in said recesses having inwardly extending arms and pivoted to the bunk by the inner ends of said arms and locking arms extending downwardly from their pivots, lock braces pivoted to the bunk and adapted when swung up to engage their sides with the stakes to hold the stakes raised, bars controlling said lock braces and extending within the bunk to its opposite end, and means for securing said bars.

4. The combination with a bunk, a stake having a pivot arm extending inwardly and pivotally mounted on the bunk, and a stake controlling means comprising a compound lever having one member pivoted by one end upon the bunk and adapted to engage by its side with the stake to hold it raised and means located at the opposite end of the bunk for restrainingly engaging the other member.

5. The combination with a hollow bunk having closed top and stake receiving recesses in its ends, stakes having inwardly projecting arms pivoted to the bunk within said recesses, a compound lever having one part thereof pivotally supported from the bunk and adapted to restrainingly engage one side thereof with the stake, and the other part extending within the bunk to its opposite end, and means located at said opposite end for restrainingly engaging said other part of the lever.

6. The combination with a bunk, a stake pivotally supported from the bunk, a pivoted stake looking or supporting lever adapted to swing to engage its side with the stake to hold the stake raised, a controlling bar pivotally connected with said lever and extending to the opposite end of the bunk, and means for locking said bar.

7. The combination with a bunk, a stake pivotally supported from the bunk, a pivoted stake-locking or supporting lever adapted -to swing into stake-releasing p0sition, a controlling bar pivotally connected with said lever and extending to the opposite end of the bunk, and means for locking said bar, said stake and lever having, one a finger and the other a lug engaging when the stake is raised to swing the lever into locking position.

9. The combination with a bunk having a stake-receiving recess in its top web, a stake adapted to fit said recess and having a pivot arm extending under the top web whereby the upward swing of the stake is limited, the inner end of said arm being pivoted upon the bunk, and a stake supporting and controlling member extending to and con trolled from the opposite end of the bunk.

10. The combination with a hollow bunk having a stake-receiving recess in its top at each end and a stake-pivoting seat beneath the top web inward from said recess, a stake having a pivot arm provided with laterally projecting bosses adapted to seat in said pivot recesses and having a downwardly projecting arm, and stake controlling means engaging said latter arm and extending to the opposite end of the bunk.

11. The combination with a hollow bunk having a stake-receiving recess in its top at each end and a stake-pivoting seat beneath the top web inward from said recess, a stake having a pivot arm provided with laterally projecting bosses adapted to seat in said pivot recess and having a downwardly projecting arm, and means pivotally engaging said latter arm of the stake and extending to the opposite end of the bunk, whereby the stake is supported and controlled.

12. The combination with a hollow bunk having a stake-receiving recess in its upper web at each end and stake pivoting webs located beneath the top web of the bunk and projecting inwardly from its side walls and having pivoting surfaces facing away from the adjacent ends of the bunk, a stake hav ing a pivot arm provided with laterally projecting pivot bosses adapted to be seated upon said webs, and stake controlling means extending to and operable from the opposite end of the bunk.

13. The combination with a hollow bunk having a stake-receiving recess in its upper web at each end and stake pivoting webs located beneath the top web of the bunk and projecting inwardly from its side walls and having pivoting surfaces facing away from the adjacent ends of the bunk, a stake having a pivot arm provided with laterally projecting pivot bosses adapted to be seated upon said webs, and an arm extending downwardly from its pivot, a lever pivotally supported beneath and adapted to be swung upward back of said arm, a bar pivotally connected with said lever and extending to the opposite end of the bunk, and means for securing said bar at said opposite end of the bunk.

14. The combination with a hollow bunk having a stake-receiving recess in its upper web at each end and stake pivoting webs located beneath the top web of the bunk and projecting inwardly from its side walls and having pivoting surfaces facing away from the adjacent ends of the bunk, a stake having a pivot arm provided with laterally projecting pivot bosses adapted to be seated upon said webs, said stake and lever having parts engaging to raise the lever into locked position by the upward swing of the stake.

15. The combination with a bunk, a stake pivoted at an end of the bunk, stake locking means comprising a releasing member extending to the opposite end of the bunk, said stake and its locking means having parts engaging to throw said locking means into locked position by the raising of the stake and disengaged when the stake is in lowered position.

16. The combination with a log bunk, of a stake pivoted at the end thereof, a lock brace, a lock-brace-holding bar extending to the opposite end of the bunk and means for locking said opposite end of the bar, said stake and lock brace being provided with parts automatically interlocked by the raising of the stake to place the parts in locked position and disengaged to entirely free the stake when the lock is tripped.

17. The combination with a log bunk, a

stake pivoted intermediate its ends upon the log bunk, and a lock brace pivoted upon the log bunk adjacent the lower end of the stake when the stake is in raised position and to then have its body extend along the inner side of the lower arm of the stake, the lock brace having fingers located at each side of the central plane and curving outwardly and upwardly, the lower part of said lock brace being centrally slotted, the lower arm of the stake having a central web adapted to swing into said central slot in the lock brace when the stake is in lowered position and also having bosses adapted to fit between the body of the lock brace and its curved fingers and means for holding the lock brace in locking position.

18. The combination with a log bunk, a stake pivoted thereto and having a locking arm, a stake holding lever pivoted adjacent the outer end of said locking arm when the stake is in raised position and in such position overlapping and enga ing said arm to hold the stake raised, a ho ding bar pivotally engaging the swinging end of said lever and extending to the other end of the bunk, and means for releasably locking said holding bar.

19. The combination with a log bunk, a stake pivoted thereto and having a locking arm, a stake holding lever pivoted adjacent the outer end of said locking arm when the stake is in raised position and extending alongside said locking arm toward the pivot of the stake, a thrust bar pivoted to the swinging end of the stake holding lever and extending to the opposite end of the bunk, and means for locking and releasing the thrust bar from the end of the bunk opposite to the stake.

Signed at the city, county, and State of New York, this 18th day of September, 1916.

FREDERICK W. CHRISWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

